Peelle, William R.

November 07, 2004

PEELLE, William R.

William R. Peelle, 83, died Monday, (November 1, 2004) at Avery Heights, succumbing after a long illness. Born in Chevy Chase, MD, the son of Julia Ravenel and Stanton Canfield Peelle. He moved to Hartford in 1946, was a graduate of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA and Trinity College. He saw duty during the Second World War in the South Pacific as a lieutenant junior grade in the US Coast Guard. His interest and devotion to the well being of his community and its institutions led him down many diverse and rewarding paths. With a spirit of compassion and gratitude, his post World War II years were spent at Trinity in administrative departments with his final appointment there as Director of Admissions. He moved on to work the corporate sector as vice-president of labor and industrial relations with the Arrowheart and Hegaman Company. In retirement he chose a career as a consultant in non-profit fund raising with Payne Forrester & Ollson and considered this the most rewarding and fulfilling of all his endeavors. He was a director of The United Way. Trinity College gave him the Eigenbrodt Trophy award, the most prestigious award for a Trinity alumnus. The Ancient Burying Ground honored him with the Thomas Hooker award for community service. The United Way of the Capital Area presented him with its Most Esteemed Volunteer award. He was a Corporator of the Watkinson School, director of the Mechanic Savings Bank and the Urban League of Hartford, chairman of Economic Development Advisory Commission of West Hartford from 1978-1983 and a charter trustee of Trinity College. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Jean Barlow Peelle; and sons and daughter-in-laws, Bill and Agnes Peelle Jr., Andy and Helen Richards-Peelle, Barlow and Beth Peelle; and seven grandchildren, Billy III, Sam, Katie, Reggie, Lily, Barlow Jr., and Emma. A memorial service will be held at the Trinity College Chapel at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 8. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers contributions, unrestricted gifts, may be made to Watkinson School, 180 Bloomfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06105 or Trinity College, 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT 06106.